Roland March, a Houston PD Homicide detective, is “invisible” … all his fellow cops avoid him. But he discovers something everybody else had missed at a murder scene, resulting in his being involved in solving the crime.In the meantime, he has to deal with his wife Charlotte, with whom he’s grown apart over the years. A graduate student (Tommy) is a tenant at their house and has been rather inconsiderate, in Charlotte’s opinion and she wants him evicted. March is not so sure.
March believes there is a connection between a mysterious female who left blood on local loan shark Octavio Morales’ bed at the crime scene, and Hannah Mayhew, a high school girl who has gone missing.
He’s assigned to the Mayhew task force and meets Det. Theresa Cavallo. Together they investigate Hannah’s disappearance, which (it seems) might have a connection with the Morales murder case.
As we march through their investigation, we meet some interesting characters. Like Carter Robb, the youth minister at Cypress County Church, and Joe Thomson – a mysterious cop who frequents the Paragon Bar and has information that will help March put parts of his past to rest. We also learn about Evangeline “Evey” Dyers, Hannah’s friend, who has also gone missing.
Then, just as things are getting interesting, everything falls apart and March is left with no leads what-so-ever. It seems he’s brought it all upon himself. It’s practically a mid-way reset. There are still some connections, but the story moves in a whole new direction.
Of course, little things continue to fall into place, bringing us back to a renewed focus and urgency. Yes, the story’s changed, but the two elements – the Morales murder and Hannah’s disappearance – continue to converge.
Back on Murder involves the reader in a nicely constructed tale of a man finding himself through his work.
I recommend it.
Back on Murder (2010)J. Mark Bertrand
(Paperback, $14.99 list)
ISBN-13: 978-0764206375
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